Titus Studies | Titus 1:1-8 | Titus 1:9-16 | Titus 2:1-5 | Titus 2:6-10 | Titus 2:11-15 | Titus 3:1-7 | Titus 3:8-15 | PDF |
These small group studies of Titus 2:6-10 contain outlines, cross-references, Bible study discussion questions, and applications. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Titus 2:6-10 Bible Study Commentary And Discussion Questions
Titus 2:6-10 Bible Study Video
Titus 2:6-10 Podcast
Outline
I. Godly character of young men (6-8)
II. Slave/master relationship (9-10)
I. Godly character of young men (6-8)
Discussion Questions
• Who is supposed to urge young men towards this kind of living? What does the word “urge” mean? Should we “urge” other believers on in their walks with Christ as well?
• Why does Paul especially mention the need for young men to be sensible?
• Why does Paul specifically mention the need for young men to be self-controlled?
• In what areas does a young man need to exercise self-control?
• What are some practical ways to grow in self-control?
• What three facets of the Christian life are mentioned (behavior, knowledge, speech)?
• How can a person show integrity while teaching? Dignity?
• Who is the opponent? Why are unbelievers looking at believers? What do they hope to find? Do they find what they are looking for when they observe your life?
Cross-References
1 Timothy 4:12 – Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Psalms 119:9 – How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:16-17 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Titus was to urge people to follow the Lord –
Titus had a lot of roles on the island of Crete. One was to appoint elders. The other was to go around and exhort people in the church to have the right kind of living. The word used is “urge.” This comes from the word “urgent” or “urgency.” You urge someone to do something that is urgent. That means something important is to be done right away without delay.
These qualities are essential. Titus was to impress this importance on them to the best of his ability.
Reflect – How would you go about urging somebody to do something?
Keep asking. Keep pleading. Keep reminding.
Application – We should care enough about the spiritual well-being of those around us that we are motivated to encourage them to follow the Lord. God does not want us to be spiritually apathetic. Who do you need to urge to godly Christian living?
Titus was explicitly instructed to urge the young men to be self-controlled (in some translations, sensible).
2. They are to be sensible – This means using common sense and not following whims or crazy ideas. Young men should not be rash. They should not be foolhardy. They should not lose their tempers. God desires young men to be well-balanced and in control of their senses, feelings, words, and actions.
Some translations translate this word as sensible, and others as self-controlled. The two concepts are closely related.
In Proverbs 7, Solomon describes a young man who lacks sense. He follows an adulteress without thinking of the long-term consequences of his actions. That man lacks self-control. He is led by feelings instead of wisdom, choosing the temporary thrill over long-term stability and blessing.
It is not a coincidence that Titus was instructed to encourage young men to have self-control. It is an area of great struggle for young men.
Reflect – In what areas does a young man need to exercise self-control?
Here are a few areas that are important to exercise self-control in:
• Purity
• Speech
• Use of time
• Thought life
3. Verses 7-8 –
Titus was not only charged with Christian ministry. Paul reminded him to live a holy Christian life with proper conduct. Titus’ ministry would be ineffective if he was a hypocrite and taught one thing but did another. His positive example to all in the church, especially young men, would model how to implement spiritual principles.
A similar charge was made to Timothy, who was also a young man.
Paul wisely understood that the greatest danger to these young men’s ministry was themselves. The key battle was within. If they could live a faithful life to the Lord, their ministry would be fruitful.
Three areas of the Christian life are mentioned: behavior (good deeds), knowledge (purity in doctrine), and speech. Young men are to be an example of good deeds. In that culture, “young men” could include any male over twelve. In today’s society, teenagers are often irresponsible and self-centered.
But it is never too early to start being faithful to God.
Reflect – Can you think of any other examples in the Bible of young men who followed God faithfully?
A few examples include Joseph, David, and Daniel.
Application – Those in ministry should pay careful attention to their own relationship with the Lord. It is easy to become focused on teaching, counseling, serving, and evangelizing and, as a result, become undisciplined in one’s personal life. A Christian leader should be a servant, humbly submitting to Scripture and striving to practice what he preaches.
4. Be a model of good works –
A Christian leader should lead by example. He must show what it means to be generous, kind, hospitable, and compassionate.
Children learn much more by observing what their parents do than by listening to what they say. Children are bright and filter out what they see as inconsistent.
A good general does not stay in the rear and give instructions but boldly leads the charge from the front.
The same is true in the church. Leaders are to show what it looks like to apply Biblical truth to everyday situations.
5. In your teaching show integrity and dignity –
Integrity means that you should live out what you teach others to do. A preacher should first examine his own life and consider how to apply the lessons in his sermon. As a teacher struggles through the challenges of obeying God’s word, his transparent life and clear desire to submit himself to the Lord will touch others.
Another aspect of integrity in teaching is to speak the truth. A teacher should not become an ear-tickler. He should not be afraid of being unpopular. His desire should be to accurately and faithfully divide the word of truth, even if it is not accepted (2 Timothy 2:15). He says what needs to be said.
6. Sound speech that cannot be condemned –
The third area mentioned is our speech, which is incredibly challenging for young men.
Reflect – What are some common problems many young men face in the area of their speech? List out as many sins of the tongue as you can.
Here are a few common sins of the tongue:
• Gossip
• Idle chatter
• Lying
• Exaggeration
• Flattery
• Slander
• Indiscretion (spreading secrets)
• Proud
• Overused (talking too much)
• Quarrelsome
• Cursing
• Harsh
• Critical
• Hot-tempered
• Rash
• Complaining
• Boasting
• Bitter
• Immoral
• Insulting
• Silence (not speaking when one should)
Young men tend to be prideful, which often results in boasting. Cursing and silly talk are also stumbling blocks. They sometimes tell dirty jokes. The list of possible sins with the tongue is very long.
We need to ensure that our speech is above reproach. People begin watching us the moment they know we are Christians. They observe. Some do so out of curiosity, but others seek to find fault and show that Christians are fake. The world wants to see Christians fail so that they can feel comfortable in their sins and tell themselves that judgment is not coming. Leaders have even more of a target on their backs.
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Reflect – What is the secret to taming the tongue?
The heart is the key. There is no magical formula. While we should put a filter on our mouths, no filter can permanently or completely block what is in the heart.
We need to come to the Lord and ask Him to transform our hearts, to fill us with charity and grace toward others. We must do like David did and ask God to clean our hearts.
Psalms 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
At the same time, we also have an active role to play. We should consider how to build up the people around us and be intentional in the way we communicate. We can share the gospel, share testimonies, share from our quiet times, compliment others, praise others, be polite to others, listen to others, show concern for others, restrain our temper, etc.
People do notice. A person I knew was told by his co-workers that they never heard him cursing (others in that work environment did). That served as a positive example to his colleagues. Others knew he was a Christian and tried to restrain their own words around him.
II. Slave/master relationship (9-10)
Discussion Questions
• Why was it necessary for Paul to cover this issue of slaves and masters?
• What stance does the Bible take on slavery? Is there any division in the church between slaves and masters? What does this tell you about God’s heart regarding slavery?
• What command did Paul give to slaves?
• How might this section of Scripture apply to us today in a world where slavery is rarer and rarer?
Cross-References
Galatians 3:28 – There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:22 – 4:1 – Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Does the Bible condone slavery? –
Neither slavery in New Testament times nor slavery under the Mosaic covenant had anything to do with the sort of slavery where “black” people were bought and sold as property by “white” people in the well-known slave trade over the last few centuries. No “white” Christian should think that they can use any slightly positive comment about slavery in these sections to justify the historical slave trade, which is still a major stain on the histories of the U.S. and the U.K.
The kindness to be shown to slaves/servants commanded in the Bible among the Israelites was often prefaced by a reminder that they too were slaves at the hand of the Egyptians. In other words, they were to treat slaves/servants in a way that they wanted to be treated.
As we already know, slavery was common in the Middle East as far back as ancient Egypt. If God had simply ignored it, then there would have been no rules for their treatment, and they could have treated them harshly with no rights. But since they did have rights and regulations for their protection, it showed that God cared for them as well. However, this is often misconstrued as an endorsement of slavery, which it is not. God listed slave traders among the worst of sinners in 1 Timothy 1:10.
Exodus 21:16 – Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.
According to this verse, those people involved in the slave trade in the 16th to 19th centuries should be executed.
In light of such rules, most slaves/servants in Israelite culture found themselves in that position due to their actions. Slaves in the Roman empire were, however, often forced into it.
Slavery in Israel was a type of bankruptcy law. With this, a government doesn’t step in, but a person, who has lost themselves to debt, can sell the only thing they have left, their ability to perform labor. In essence, it was a loan. In six years, the loan was paid off, and they were set free. Bondservants who did this made a wage, had their debt covered, a home to stay in, on-the-job training, and did it for only six years.
Here are a few pointers to remember:
A. Slaves under Mosaic Law were different from the harshly treated slaves of other societies and functioned more like indentured servants.
B. The Bible doesn’t endorse slave traders but the opposite (1 Timothy 1:10). A slave/indentured servant was acquired when a person voluntarily entered into it when he needed to pay off his debts.
C. The Bible recognizes that slavery is a reality in this sin-cursed world and doesn’t ignore it, but instead gives regulations for good treatment by both masters and servants and reveals they are equal under Christ.
D. Israelites could sell themselves as a slave/indentured servant to have their debts covered, make a wage, have housing, and be set free after six years. Foreigners could sell themselves as a slave/indentured servant as well. Thus, it was voluntary and temporary.
E. In God’s family, every person is equal and valued (Galatians 3:28). For example, in 1 Timothy 3, qualifications for elders and deacons were listed. If slaves met the qualifications, they could also be church leaders.
F. Being free was to be desired and pursued –
If at all possible, an enslaved believer should seek freedom. But if liberty in this world was not possible, he could still serve God and be a valued part of His kingdom.
G. Biblical Christians led the fight to abolish slavery.
Inside the church, slaves were not to be treated any differently than anyone else. They had the same rights (Galatians 3:28). Outside the church, the government’s rules meant that slavery was a reality that Paul taught about, so believing slaves would know how to act.
Godly Christians, such as William Wilberforce, influenced the government to end the slave trade in the U.K. Many in northern U.S. states fought for many decades for emancipation.
It is also sadly true that some within the church defended it. These were wolves in sheep’s clothing.
2. Changing society from the inside out –
Paul understood the consequences for Christianity if slaves began to revolt against their owners in the name of Christ. “The Way” of Jesus was new to people in the Roman Empire. They already had many false impressions and confusions about this faith. Some people in the Roman Empire believed that Christians practiced cannibalism (partaking of the Lord’s body for communion) and orgies (love feasts, which were, in reality, just fellowship meals.) Some also thought that Christians were incestuous because they called each other “brother and sister.”
If slaves revolted, then the government would turn against this new faith. Christianity would be viewed as anti-social and trying to topple the current society. Persecution would ramp up. Masters and their families who could be won over through the gracious attitudes of their servants would likely instead turn against this faith which cost them their prosperity. In the end, the cause of the gospel would suffer.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19, Paul said he became “all things to all people so that I might by all means save some.” For slaves to continue in obedience to their masters was an extension of this principle. Winning people to Christ and helping them win eternal freedom from sin was more important than the temporary freedom from slavery.
Generally, the Bible seeks to change society from the inside out, one person at a time, rather than working through revolution.
Paul, for example, advised Philemon to set his slave, Onesimus, free. This was the Christian thing to do.
Application – Employees should respect their bosses and seek to win them to Christ through their actions. Your attitudes and behavior at work should be a testimony for Christ and bring people to Him, not repulse them.
3. Paul highlighted different points to different groups – Note that Paul was talking to the slaves, not the masters here. It is an important distinction. If he were talking to the masters, he would have said something different (see Philemon). To slaves, he emphasized obedience. And to masters, he would emphasize justice and mercy. Paul clearly reminded masters to be just and fair because they would answer to God one day.
Colossians 4:1 – Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
If you are a parent with multiple children, you know how the idea of highlighting a different principle to different children works. For example, if you leave the house in charge of your teen, you may tell him, “Don’t be bossy. Serve your younger sibling.” But to the younger sibling, you say, “Obey what your older sister tells you to do. Be helpful and have a good attitude.” Telling the younger sibling to obey in no way means that the older one should take advantage by issuing many commands.
4. Slaves were to obey their masters “in everything” – Slavery was a fact of life at that time in history. But how were slaves to react to it? Paul told them simply, obey.
1 Corinthians 7:21 – Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)
In Corinthians, he told them to get out of it if they could. If it was at all possible, freedom was better. But for those who couldn’t get out of it, they should serve Christ in it.
And they should not do so reluctantly or by arguing with their masters or stealing. Rather, they should do so in “good faith.” As Paul said in Colossians, they should serve their masters in such a way as to please God (Colossians 3:23-24). Even if their masters never noticed and never rewarded them, God saw their obedience and would reward them for it.
Application – You may have a Christian boss. If so, do not take advantage of the mercy he shows. Do not think, “I can show up late because he will forgive me.” His goodness is not something to be exploited. Instead, be an even better and more diligent employee, knowing that it is a member of God’s own family who is benefiting from your hard work.
Reflect – How do the principles in these verses apply today? How do they apply to employee/employer relationships? To what degree is an employee responsible for obeying his boss today?
Titus Bible Study Guide – If this study is helpful, you can download the complete Titus study in PDF or get the paperback from Amazon.
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